Communication Systems Technician

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

Do you wish to better your odds at being considered? Then use the Screening Questionnaire wisely, by demonstrating how you meet the Education and Experience Criteria listed under “Essential Qualifications” and “Asset Qualifications” (other qualifications). Use concrete examples by using the STAR technique, describing:

• The Situation;
• The Tasks you were required to achieve;
• The Actions you took; and
• The Results of your actions.

ATTENTION: should your examples not be concrete enough or should they contain insufficient details, unfortunately, your application will be rejected. We will not contact you to obtain further information.

Duties

Employees are responsible for providing technical service and advice in the planning, development, configuration, installation, implementation and maintenance of IT infrastructure for digital communications. The primary focus of this work is to service the following - the TCP/IP Network of the Operations Communication Centre, the use of software and programs to service IT equipment and user gear, the development and maintenance of virtual servers that operate the digital network, the programming of encryption gear, and the development of programming software for remote monitoring equipment.

Work environment

The “G” Division Informatics Unit provides service to the entire Northwest Territories. This consists of 21 detachments and 50 remote sites. Employees frequently have to travel by helicopter or small fixed wing *aircraft to small communities and remote locations (mountaintops) to maintain IT infrastructure and operations. Travel can be physically demanding as all equipment must be loaded and unloaded by a small team multiple times to service a location and return. Remote travel in the winter at temperatures down to -50C present challenges so employees must be prepared and able to work in this environment. Many remote sites are unheated so the equipment is the same temperature as the environment.

*Please note the RCMP uses a fleet of PC-12 Pilatus aircraft for the majority of travel to and from remote work sites. Employees must conform to RCMP standards set for travel on the PC-12 Pilatus aircraft which includes a maximum passenger weight restriction of 400lbs (which includes clothing and equipment).

The work environment for this position involves the following conditions:
• daily exposures to RF energy, solder fumes, loud noises from test equipment, sirens, and lifting of heavy equipment.
• frequent travel by helicopter or small fixed wing aircraft to remote sites or mountain top sites where poor weather conditions exist. Poor landing sites and inclement weather can make flying into and working at these sites dangerous.
• occasional overnight travel is required, sometimes for extended periods such as several days or weeks for duty or training.
• infrequently while giving technical support in the field to operational sections, certain risks are encountered such as proximity to armed and dangerous suspects and uncomfortable working locations such as on board ships, small boats, aircraft or in the bush.

Yellowknife is classified as an Isolated Post. As such, the successful candidate must meet all the conditions under the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive prior to appointment. In addition, the successful candidate will be entitled to an Isolated Post Allowance. For more information please refer to the following website:

Important financial information:
• Successful candidates may be eligible for staff housing.
• Isolated Post Allowances (Northern Allowance) for Yellowknife ranges from approximately $10,761 to $24,866 which is based on if the employee has dependents.
• Vacation Travel Assistance is provided once a year for Yellowknife of approximately $1,032 for each eligible member of the household.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to staff one (1) permanent position in Yellowknife, NT.

A qualified pool of candidates may be established and may be used to staff future vacancies on a permanent and/or temporary basis.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Please describe, in one or two paragraphs, what you know about your desired work location (Yellowknife, NT) and how you can make a positive contribution as an employee of the RCMP. Please note: Your response to this question will be used to assess your ability to communicate in writing.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Successful completion of two years of an acceptable post-secondary educational program in computer science, information technology, information management or another specialty relevant to the position to be staffed.

Notes:
1. Indeterminate period incumbents of positions in the CS group on May 10, 1999, who do not possess the education prescribed above, are deemed to meet the minimum education standards based on their education, training and/or experience. They must be accepted as having met the minimum education standard whenever this standard is called for when staffing positions in the CS group.
2. It is the recognized educational institution (e.g. community college, CÉGEP or university) that determines if the courses taken by a candidate correspond to two years of a post-secondary program at the institution.
3. At the manager’s discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience may serve as an alternative to the minimum post-secondary education stated above. Whenever the minimum education is met using this alternative, it is met for the specific position only and must be re-assessed for other positions for which this alternative has been specified by the manager.

*Proof of education in the form of official transcripts will be required.

Degree equivalency

• Recent** experience repairing, modifying and maintaining wireless mobile voice and data communications equipment.
• Recent** experience operating electronic communications test equipment and with test procedures in both analog and digital systems.
• Recent** experience diagnosing problems/trouble shooting electronic equipment problems in shop and field environments.

**Recent: Within the last five (5) years.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

• Recent** experience programming portable or mobile radio equipment.
• Recent** experience diagnosing problems/trouble shooting portable or mobile radio equipment problems in shop and field environments.

**Recent: Within the last five (5) years.

• Knowledge of measurement and test procedures.

• Ability to program portable and mobile radio equipment.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential
The functions and duties of the position will only require the use of English.

Information on language requirements

• Knowledge of electronics and infrastructure/platforms.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• Ability to diagnose problems/trouble shoot electronic equipment problems in shop or field environments.

• Problem Solving
• Initiative
• Reliability

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Operational Requirements:
• Willingness and ability to work in a busy police environment, including exposure to unsettling and/or graphic material.
• Willingness and ability to work overtime, as required.
• Willingness and ability to travel for work and/or training purposes using various modes of transportation (including owned or leased government transport, Helicopter, commercial and light aircraft and up to and including remote locations).

Conditions of employment

Top Secret security clearance - Successful applicants will be required to obtain and maintain a RCMP Security Clearance throughout their employment. Positions filled will have security clearance requirements at the following levels: RCMP Reliability Status, Secret or Top Secret. This requires a Security/Reliability Interview, and a field investigation in matters of Criminal Activities, credit/finances, education, employment, reference, etc.

• Willingness and ability to travel to attend training, or for work, as necessary.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, overtime, on evenings and weekends, and/or on a shift schedule.
• Willingness and ability to travel overnight, sometimes for extended periods
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Health Canada approved medical clearance (Isolated Post only).

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Your responses to the screening questions will be used as the primary source in determining whether you meet the screening requirements. If you do not fully complete the screening questions as instructed, you may be screened out.

Volume Management strategies may be used.

Candidates may be assessed using one or more of the following tools: standardized tests, written exam, interview, simulation exercise and reference checks.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence and telephone conversations, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

Should a Civilian Member (CM) be found qualified and selected for appointment, the appointment will not result in a change of status to the Public Service (PS) category for the CM. Information regarding the CM appointment will be sent to all applicable candidates who are within the area of selection and participated in the advertised process.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.